Page 134 - MERCIAN Eagle 2015

Long Eaton Branch
Cliff Housley, Secretary
For once I am pleased to be able to
start these notes with some good news; recruiting to the branch has gone well this past year and we have increased by six members. This may not seem a large number to some but, from the small area we cover, it is very good indeed.
Saturday 7th March once again saw members and guests gathering for the branch dinner. As is our usual custom, we held the dinner at our meeting venue, “Brennans” in Long Eaton, where our host did everything possible to ensure that we had a memorable evening. Over thirty members and friends sat down to an excellent meal. Whilst on the subject of meals, it is pleasing to be able to say that once again this year, the branch was able to subsidise the tickets for the members and their wives attending the Crich Dinner. The turnout from the branch for the Crich Dinner was 99%, with one man sadly
The unveiling of the plaque to Cpl J Upton VC at Lincoln. Phil Twells is second standard bearer from left
missing as he was in hospital. Phil Twells, our Standard Bearer, has again been very active in representing the branch at many events including, although sad to say, four funerals. Another duty Phil undertakes
is to carry the Area Standard, and in this field, he has also been busy; he was present at the unveiling of the memorial plaque to Cpl J Upton VC at Lincoln, at the VE Service in Nottingham City Hall, and at the Service of Remembrance for
Walter Parker VC RMLI at Stapleford, Nottingham. We must not forget to mention his attendance at the Crich Dinner, when having already placed the Branch Standard in the display of Standards, he carried in
the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Area Standard, along with Mr Harold Massam who carried the Worcestershire Area Standard. They dipped the Standards in salute to the Colonel of the Regiment, who was present at the dinner.
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Worcester Branch Maurice Smith
This past reporting year has been yet another busy one for the branch, and looks likely to continue, given that at our Branch AGM, we were all re-elected; so we must be doing something right!
Members, Standard Bearers and our families supported and involved ourselves with many local events, including the
Poppy Appeal, laying crosses at local war graves, the Three Counties Show Ground, Malvern and a service to commemorate
the contribution and sacrifice of thousands of horses in WW1. Remembrance
Sunday, Armistice Day, the Rorkes Drift Commemoration in Brecon Cathedral,
the Raising of the Flag for Armed Forces Week, various commemorations of the 70th Anniversary of VJ Day, and the opening of Norton Commemorative Garden were also attended.
Pershore Carnival saw Cyril Davis set up his portable bed lay-out, array of uniforms and mannequin dressed in Battle Dress and Boots of a ‘Worcestershire Soldier.’ This attracted interest from the visitors, whilst the Worcester City Festival and Flower Show
in Gheluvelt Park was a busy day. We can’t forget either, celebrating the Secretary’s 85th Birthday.
Regimentally we were also very active, with branch and executive meetings, the AGM and cheque presentations, as well as supporting the 2 MERCIAN Freedom Parade in Bromsgrove duringFebruary.
In June, The Glorious First of June was celebrated at the Regimental Stone, to remember the men of the 29th Regiment of Foot. A few days later, many of the branch attended the Regimental Reunion
at Sixways, Worcester, with a good turnout and fine weather. Sadly, we also attended the funerals of ‘Casey’ Hill and Major SG Goodman, with the service held on what would have been his 102nd birthday.
The Regimental Memorial Stone saw us lay wreaths on the 70th Anniversary of VE Day, and remember the soldiers of the 1st, 2nd, 7th and 8th Battalions who fought in Europe and the Far East between 1939 and 1945. We also attended a wreath laying ceremony to commemorate the Retreat from Dunkirk of the 7th and 8th Battalions in May 1940.
On 26 August, we held the Regimental Stone ceremony. Prior to the wreath, a presentation of the Association Merit Award was made by Major (Retd) Bob Prophet to David Plant; not only for his long service
as Branch Standard Bearer, but also his dedication and hard work in acquiring a piece of Malvern Granite and having a bronze plate engraved. He took that stone to Vernonette in France, to place in a lay-by where the 1 Worcestershire Regiment Aid Post was located in WWII. Dave funded this himself. As if that wasn’t enough, he organised the acquisition and engraving
of the Malvern Granite Stone, now resting proudly in Gheluvelt Park in a plot prepared by himself and local contractors at their expense!
A presentation was also made to Mrs Rachel Kent of a WFR beret and cap badge, shoulder title and framed WFR Badge and WFR Poppy Badge for her son’s ‘wall of memory’ of his uncle, L/Cpl Steve Kent, who was in a fatal accident whilst on duty in Northern Ireland.
The ceremony at the Stone was to commemorate the men of 4th and 9th Battalions who served at Gallipoli in 1915, and to recall the heroism of Lt Herbert James of the 4th Battalion, who was awarded the Victoria Cross; the first soldier of The Worcestershire Regiment to be awarded the highest award for valour in WWI. Joining us were two veterans of Worcestershire Regiment who served at Vernon; Barry Freeman and Eric Tipping. On the same day, the townspeople of Vernon remembered those men who helped to liberate them from German occupation in 1944. The men of the 7th Battalion are
also remembered for their part at Kohima, Burma, in 1945 and the 1st Battalion in 1950 – 1953 during the Malay Emergency, when they lost twenty-one men.
Friday 31st October 2014 was Gheluvelt Centenary Day. On parade were the Colour Parties of 1 and 4 MERCIAN, with the CO and RSM 1 MERCIAN taking the position of Parade Commander and Parade RSM respectively. The band of the Royal Logistics Corps played the Regimental Marches and a (blank) round was fired
from a 105mm Light Gun. Our Branch President, Maj (Retd) RH Fox, welcomed the Lord Lieutenant and huge gathering
of local dignitaries and ex-Service Officers together, with the representatives of the Mayor of Zonnebecke’s; the Belgian municipality which includes Gheluvelt. Col DR Sneath MA TD DL, represented the Colonel of The Mercian Regiment, and gave an address. Mrs Julia Brotherton, Granddaughter of Major Hankey who commanded 2 Worcestershire Regiment
THE MERCIAN EAGLE